Pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines during acute severe pancreatitis

Abstract

During acute severe pancreatitis, the pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine response occurred early and persisted in the systemic circulation for several days. Although associated with the patient's severity at inclusion and outcome, cytokine plasma concentrations were unable to predict death accurately in individual patients. If confirmed, these results should be taken into consideration when selecting patients who are apt to benefit from new therapies aimed at modifying the immune inflammatory response.